Knock down tubular scaffold



Feb. 2, 1960 A. w. HARWELL KNOCK DOWN TUBULAR SCAFFOLD 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9. 1956 Feb. 2, 1960 A. w. HARWELL 2,923,374

KNoCK DOWN TUBULAR SCAFFOLD Filed Jan. 9, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- INVENTOR 1F/P50 m #Apu/HL BY fda ATTORNEYS Feb. 2, 1960 A. w. HARWELL xNocx DowN TUBULAR scAFFoLD 5 Sheets-Sheet 3l Filed Jan. 9, 1956 BY k` wf@ TIM/VHS United States Paten KNOCK DOWN TUBULAR SCAFFOLD Alfred W. Harwell, Birmingham, Ala.

Application January 9, 1956, Serial No. 557,998

1 Claim. (Cl. 182-132) My invention relates to knock down scaffolds of the type especially adapted for use in laying brick walls and the like, and for use wherever workmen must have an elevated platform to perform work or labor upon a building or the like and is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 459,479, filed September 30, 1954, and entitled Knock Down Tubular Scaffold, now abandoned.

An object of my invention is to provide a knock down scaffold embodying at least one uninterrupted walkway along a side thereof on which workmen may stand to lay bricks or the like onto the wall or may stand to perform other operations.

Another object is to provide a scaold which may comprise end frames shaped somewhat like the letter Z turned on its side as viewed in end elevation, such frame being made preferably of tubing, whereby such end sections may be nested on top of each other to provide a supporting structure for a walkway which is uninterrupted along the entire length of the scaffolds, regardless of the number of end frames and truss members comprising the entire scaffold.

Another object is to provide a scaffold of the character designated Which has an uninterrupted walkway along one side at one level, and means at a slightly higher level for supporting a deck on which materials such as bricks and mortar may be stored in easy reach of the workmen standing on the walkway, whereby the bricks and mortar may be transferred with a lateral swinging motion toward the wall without the workmen having to stoop to lift the materials into place, thus considerably speeding the laying of the wall and lessening worker fatigue.

A still further object is to provide a knock down steel scaffold having end frames providing uninterrupted horizontal walkways along each side and a raised uninterrupted material storage deck between the walkways, whereby a group of masons or the like may stand on one of the walkways near the wall being built while materials may be placed on the raised deck by a group of helpers, thus improving the eiciency of the entire operation and preventing interference between the groups of workmen as they perform their respective tasks.

A further and more general object is to provide a knockdown scaffold which embodies two standard end frame units, namely a combined bottom and top unit and 1 an lintermediate unit, the unitsV being so designed that the bottom unit may be assembled in inverted position on the intermediate section to provide a flat deck support as wide as the entire scaffold whenever such width is desired; n the other hand, and of more general and frequent use the scaffold may be used with a single bottom row of units in place and with the intermediate units in place, ,thus providing the aforementioned walkways and raised material storage deck.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates difficulties have been encountered in the erection and use of scaffolds due to the fact that the walkways and material supporting platforms have been interrupted by a plurality Ohee of transverse brace or support members, thus causing the workmen to step over the same as they move from one end of the scaffold to the other. Also, the work materials must be lifted over such transverse barriers, thus making it impractical to use wheelbarrows vto transfer the work materials from one end of the scaffold to the other. I overcome these and other diiculties by providing uninterrupted walkways and vplatforms as described in the above objects. Also, by providing walkways at each side of the elevated platform, I relieve the congestion presently existing when one group is performing the work while along the same walkway anothergroup is delivering material and storing it thereon.

A scaffold embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is an end elevational view, partly broken away and in section, showing the bottom, top and intermediate sections in disassembled position;

Fig. 2 is a View taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1, partly broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental view, partly broken away and in section, Ashowing one means for connecting the sections together;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view, partly brokenraway and in section, showing the bottom section in assembled position and showing the manner in whichthe intermediate section is connected to the bottom section;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V--V cf Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away and in section, showing another means for connecting the individual sections;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away and in section, showing still another means for connecting the sections;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the assembled scaffold, partly broken away;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view, showing a modified form of scaffold construction; and,

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the scaffold shown in Fig. 9, partly broken away. l

Referring now to the Vdrawings for a better understanding of my invention I show bottom and top end sections indicated generally by the numerals 10 and 10a. In view of the fact that the construction of the end sectionsA 10 and 10a is the same, the only difference being that the section 10a is assembled in inverted position, a description of the bottom section 10 will suffice for both. The end section 10 comprises vertical tubular members 11 and 12 which are connected by upper and lower horizontal tubular members 13 and 14. Secured to the horizontal member 13 in vertical alignment with the vertical member 11 is a vertical tubular member '15. Secured to the horizontal tubular member 13 adjacent the mid-point thereof is a vertical tubular member 16. Connecting the upper ends of the vertical tubular members 1S and 16 is a short horizontal tubular member 17 which is substantially parallel to the horizontal tubular member 13. Secured to the yvertical members 15` and 16 substantially equidistant from the horizontal members 13 and 17 is a horizontal tubular member 18 which adds strength to the scaffold and serves as a support for boards 19 which form an elevated platform, to be described hereinafter. Suitable diagonal braces Z1 rconnect the horizontal tubular members 13 and 14 to form a rigid structure. Horizontal members 20 connect the diagonal braces 21 to the vertical member v'11 to provide ladder means for the section 1'0.

Secured to the bottoms of the vertical members 11 and 12 are connecting brackets 22 which are employed to connect the individual sections together. vAs Vshown 3 in Fig. 6, the connecting bracket 22 comprises a horizontal plate 23 secured to the lower ends of the vertical members 11 and 12 by any suitable means, such as by welding at 24. Securedto the undersurface of the plate 23, 'as by Welding, is a U-shaped member 26 having .aligned openings 27 in the legs thereof. Suitable openings 28 are provided in the upper ends ofthe vertical members 12 and 15 in position to receive pins 29 which pass through the aligned openings 27 in the connecting brackets on the superjacent section, as shown in Fig. 4.

The intermediate section of the scaffold, indicated at 31, is shaped somewhat like the letter Z' turned on its side as viewed in end elevation, as shown in Fig. l. The intermediate section 31 comprises vertical tubular members 32 and 33 at opposite sides thereof. Mounted at the lower ends of the vertical tubular members 32 and 33 are connecting brackets 22'which are adapted to receive the upper ends of the vertical members 15 and 12, respectively, of the lower section 10.

As shown in Fig. 1, the vertical member 32 is shorter than the member 33 whereby they both terminate at substantially the same level. Connecting theupper ends of the vertical members 32 and 33 is a horizontal member 34. Secured to the horizontal member 34 and projecting downwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the vertical members 32 and 33 is a Vertical member 36.' The vertical member 36 is spaced from the vertical members 32 and 33 a distance whereby it lies alongside the vertical member 16 of the lower section 10 when assembled thereon. Connecting the vertical members 33 and 36 adjacent the lower ends thereof is a horizontal tubular member 37. Secured to the vertical member 32 adjacent the lower end thereof and connecting the same to the vertical member 36 is a horizontal tubular member 38.

Secured tovthe tubular member 34 adjacent the mid point thereof is an upstanding member 39 which is positioned to lie in the same vertical plane as the vertical member 16 of the section 10, when assembled. That is,

y the vertical member 39 is positioned whereby the vertical member 36 of asuperjacent section will lie alongside the same, as shown in Fig. l. Secured to the horizontal member 34 and in vertical alignment with the vertical member 32 is an upstanding member 30. Connecting the upper ends of the vertical members 30 and 39 is a horizontal member 41. Also, connecting the vertical members 30` and 39 between the horizontal members 34 and 41 is a horizontal member 42. The horizontal members .13, 17, 18, 38, 41 and 42 all serve as supports for the board members 1.9 whereby the boards may be elevated to' form a platform of the desired height. Also, these horizontal members in combination with the horizontal members 20 form a ladder for the scaffold.

Openings 44 are provided in the upper ends of the vertical tubular members 30 and 33 for receiving the pins 29 whereby an intermediate section 31 can be connected to a superjacent section 31. To connect the intermediate section 31 to a superjacent section 31, the connecting brackets 22 are empioyed.

To connect a section a to the upper end of an intermediate section 31, I employ an inner rod or tubular member 46 having a transverse opening therethrough which is in alignment with the opening 44 when the upper section 10a is placed on the intermediate section 31, as Y shown in Fig. 3. `A suitable pin 47 passes through the opening 44 and the opening in the member 46 thereby connecting the sections.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the end sections are cross braced by removable brace members 48 which may also be of tubular construction. The cross braces are con- -nected to the vertical members 11 and 12 of the lower member 52 which is mounted for pivotal movement about a pin S3. The ends of the brace members 48 are provided with transverse openings therethrough for receiving the brackets 49 as shown in Fig. 4.

To install the brace members 48, the latch members 52 are moved to the solid line position shown in Fig. 3. After the brace members 48 have been positioned on the brackets 49, the latch members 52 are moved tothe dotted line position sholwn in Fig. 3, thereby locking the brace members in place. To add further strength to the brace members 48, .i connect each pair adjacent the mid-point thereof by means of a suitable pin 54, as shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings I show a slightly modified form of connecting member 22a which may be secured to the lower ends of the vertical members 11, 12, 32 and 33 instead of the connecting members 22. The connecting member 22a is formed from a rectangular blank having outwardly extending projections 56 and 57 along the upper portion of the sides thereof. The blank is formed into a curved member, as shown in Fig. 7, with the projections 56 and 57 adjacent each other, the lower portion of the blank is bent outward, as shown, to form a U- shaped lower end having legs 58 and 59. The connecting members 22a are secured to the lower ends of the vertical members 11, 12, 32 and 33 as by welding at `61. Aligned openings 27A are provided in the connecting member 22a for receiving the pin 29 in the manner described above.

Telescoping within the end of the horizontal tubular member 34 adjacent the vertical members 30 and 32 is a tubular member 62 for supporting boards 63 which form a walkway outwardly of and alongside the vertical members 30. Mounted on the undersurface of the member 62 adjacent the outer end thereof is a bracket 60. Pivotally connected to the bracket is a diagonal brace member 64 which is detachably connected at its lower ,end to the pin 29 connecting the vertical members 15 and 32. Vertical openings 65 are provided in the tubular member 34 and a suitable vertical opening is provided in the member V62 in alignment with the openings 65 whereby the member 62 may be locked in either the extended or retracted position by a pin 65a. Mounted at the outer end of the tubular member 62 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a member 66 which prevents outward movementof the boards 63.- As shown in Fig. l, the end sections 10 andk10a are also provided with the tubular members 62 which telescope in the open ends of the tubular members 13. A suitable opening is provided in the vertical member 11 for receiving a pin 29 whereby the lower end ofthe brace member 64 is connected to the member 11. f

In Fig. l, I show a slightly modified form of intermediate end section 31a resting on the intermediate end section 31. The section 31a is also shaped somewhat like the letter Z turned on its side as viewed in end elevation and comprises vertical tubular members 32a and 33a at opposite sides thereof. Mounted at the lower ends of the vertical tunbular member 32a and 33a are connecting brackets 22 which are adapted to receive the upper ends of the vertical members 30 and 33 of the subjacent section 31. l

The vertical members 32a and 33a are substantially equal in length whereby the member 32a projects above the top of the vertical member 33a. Connecting the upper end of the vertical member 33a and the vertical member 32a is a horizontal member 34a. Secured to the horizontal member 34a and projecting downwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the vertical members 32a and 33a is a vertical member 36a which is positioned to lie alongside the vertical member 39 of the subjacent section when assembled. Connecting the vertical members 33a and 36a adjacent the lower endsthereof is a horizontal tubular member-37a@ Avhorizontal tubular member 38a connects the lower portion of the member 32a to the membier .360.. I

Mounted 01.1 the memberaa.- adaeemttlre mid-.remt thereof is arrupstarrdirrsfe Whiehliesirrverf 1 aliene mem withv theA member 3a offrire srrbiaeemse.. 0.113,1-, when assembled.- Cermeetirrs the upper-ends either/erf tical members 32ahalnd 39atis alhorizontl member 41a. Also, connecting the vertical rnernbersjl tween the members 3441 mrd 4.1@ is e .herzerrtal member 42a. Openings 44 are also provided inthe upper,. of the vertical tubular members 32a and-33a for re,l i the pins 29 or 47, as the case may be:V Y l n Secured to the vertical member 32gv of the intermediatev sectionY 31g, is anvoutwardly. projecting horizontal member 62a for supportingfthe boards'V 63.?Corinecting the outer end of the horizontal menthe; 62 to he lower portionof the vertical. member 32a', is"snitahle diagonal brace member 64a having an upturnedouter end 66al projects above the horizontal member 62a, thus limiting outward movement of the boards 63.

The boards 63 form a walkway outwardly of and below the levelof a platform formed by placing board members9 acossthe horizontal members 4 1, 41g, 42 and 42a. Also, board members 67 are positioned across selected ones of the horizontal members 13, 3.4, 3.7, 34a and 37a of the lower and intermediate sections, to form a walkway on the opposite side of the structure. from the boards 6,3, which is also belowthe level ofthe platform formed by placing the beards across the herzentel members 41, 42, 410.21m 4251.-. i

From the foregoing. de serinrierr.y the Operation. and erection of mytiniprovedtscatfold shown in Figshfl to 8 Will be readily understeml-V 'Ihe end, members 10.- are eermeeted by the. b raee. members 4S, and the letehmembers 52 are moved tothe dotted line position, as shown in Fig. 3, thus securing the lower endpmembersxtogether, as shown m Fis. The ,verdeel members r11` mrd-leef the lower section are placed adjacent the building being constructed and the boards 63 are placed across the horizontal members 62 to form a walkway adjacent the building. The board members 19 are placed across the horizontal members 13, 17 or 18 to provide a platform which is adapted to support the mortar, bricks or the like at an elevation within easy reach of the Worker standing on the boards 63. The boards 67 are positioned on the horizontal members 13 to form a walkway on the side of the scaffold opposite the building, thus permitting the laborers to Walk thereupon to distribute the work materials.

To increase the height of the scatold, the intermediate end sections 31 or 31a are positioned on top of the bottom sections 10 and are connected thereto by the connecting brackets 22. The brace members 48 of the intermediate section are then connected in the manner described above. The boards 67 are moved to span the horizontal members 34. The boards 19 are moved upwardly so as to span the horizontal members 34, 42, or 41, depending upon the desired elevation of the platform for supporting the work materials. The boards 63 rest on the horizontal members 62 to form a walkway alongside the scaffold adjacent the building thus permitting skilled workmen to walk thereupon. The height of the scaiold may thus be raised to any desired level by adding intermediate sections 31 or 31a and positioning the boards 19, 63 and 67 at the desired elevation thereon. Since the erection and use of the end section 31a is substantially the same as that of the end section 31, no detail description of the erection and use thereof is deemed necessary.

As shown in Fig. l, the top unit or section 10a can be positioned on top of the intermediate section 31 or 31a to provide a flat deck support as wide as the entire scaffold. To mount the top section 10a on the upper intermediate section 31a, the cylindrical member 46 is telescoped within the abutting ends of the vertical members 12-32a and .l1-33a whereby the pin 47 passes through ber 72 ashat 76 and 77 and.. then downwardly and out.-

wardly toward the side memb'ers69A and71l, 'respectively, as at 78 and 79 where they terminate infsubstantially horizontalI portions 81 and 8 2.t Toadd. further strength to the end frame 68, they braces 73.andf74 are connected by a horizontal transverse vmember 83. A-lso,the side members 69 and 71tareconnected tothebraces and 74 by other, horizontalbraces 84y and, 86,A respectively.

Monnted 'rigidly onthe horizontal. 'cross member 72 are'upstanding supports r87 and 88'which are connected at theirY upper ends by a transverse, cross member 39. Themsupports 87' and 88 are connected ,by a horizontal brace Y91. Also, as'shown in Fig. 9, the upstanding supports 87 and 88 are positioned adjacent the center of the horizontal cross member 72 in position to enter the space between they braces 73 and 74 ofa superjacent end section. Adjacent end sections are connected to each other by means of. theV connecting brackets 22 and bolts 29a which pass through suitable openings 92 at the upper ends of the side members 69 and 71'.

As shown in Fig. 10, the erected end sections are'. cross braced'by the removable braee's`48 which are connected tothe vertical side members 69vand 71 by the connectors 49p. as described heretofore. Also, each pair of bracesf48 is connejztedV adjacent thecentersfthereo'f by meansof'the pin 54. L `v i' Y' Y Boards 93 are positioned on the horizontal cross members 72 at opposite sides of the upstanding supports 87 and 88 to form walkways adjacent the top of the uppermost sections, as shown. Also, boards 94 are positioned on the uppermost transverse cross members 89 to form a :deck for receiving materials, such asl mortar, bricks or the like. If desired boards to form walkways may be placed on horizontal braces 84 and 86. However, such walkways will not be uninterrupted as are the walkways formed by the boards 93.

The operation and erection of my improved scaffold shown in Figs. 9 and l0 is similar to that of the scaffolds shown in Figs. l through 8. However, in View of the fact that the end sections 68 are all identical in construction, the sections are positioned on top of each other until the desired elevation is reached. Accordingly, there is no necessity for providing special bottom and top sections for the scaifold. Also, the tubular support members 62 and 62a are eliminated due to the fact that the boards 93 are supported by the cross members 72. The horizontal cross members 72 and the braces for the end sections 68 form a ladder which gives easy access to Workers moving up and down the scaffold.

From the foregoing it Will be seen that I have devised an improved scaffold which supports building materials, such as mortar, brick and the like at a convenient working level. By providing such a supporting platform in combination with an uninterrupted walkway the work materials such as brick, mortar, tools and the like are located in easy reach of workmen standing on the walkway, whereby the bricks and mortar, may be transferred with a lateral swinging movement toward the wall without the workmen having to stoop to lift the same into place. Also, by providing walkways at each side of the platform both skilled and unskilled labor are relieved of the congestion which has heretofore existed when one group is laying brick while along the same walkway another group is delivering materials and storing the same on the same platform. By providing uninterrupted walk- 7 ways herein described, there are A*no parts of the end frames over which workmen'must step or move materials. Furthermore, the horizontal support' members and braces form a ladder Ywhich gives easy access'up and 'down the scaffold.

While I haveshown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to `those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of vvarious other changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof', and l desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claim. v i g i What I claim is:

A scaffold having spaced vertical rows of vertically aligned Vend frames extending transversely of the scaffold, each of said vertical rows comprising a plurality of end frames stacked on top of each other, each end frame Ahaving a pair of spaced vertical side members forming the 'outer sides of the end frame, means on one end of each of said vertical side members for receiving in telescoping relation the end of a similar vertical side member on an adjacent vertically aligned end frame disposed thereover for securing said adjacent end frame in place, a horizontal member extending between and rigidly connecting the upper ends of said vertical side members, a pair of transversely spaced upstanding supports rigidly secured to said horizontal member intermediately thereof and leaving suflicient space on the horizontal member between the upstanding supports and the Vertical side members for supporting a walkway adjacent each side of the opstanding supports inwardly of said vertical side members, said upstanding supports being of a height less than the height of said vertical side members, a horizontal support extending between and connecting the pair of upstanding supports for forming a support for an elongated deck, the

uppermost endfrarne supporting an uninterrupted walkway adjacent each side of the upstanding supports and between the vertical side members with the walkways having their outer edges dispoed inwardly of said vertical side members, braces connecting said vertical side members to said horizontal member at the spaces on the horizontal member between the side members and the upstanding supports and receiving therebetween the upstanding supports and the connecting horizontal support of a subjacent end frame, additional bracing extending longitudinally of the scaffold and between the vertical rows of end frames for connecting the spaced vertical rows of end frames to eachother with each end frame in a vertical row having longitudinalbracing secured thereto, and means on each end Vframe for securing said longitudinal bracing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 479,591 Gilbreth July 26, 1892 1,111,814 Waterson Sept. 29, 1914 2,305,563 Uecker et al Dec. 15, 1942 2,316,952 Halferty Apr. 20, 1943 2,359,583 Reiner Oct. 3, 1944 2,383,449 Clark Aug. 28, l1945 2,433,216 Harwell Dec. 23, 1947 2,435,171 v Weisz Jan. 27, 1948 2,449,069 Harrison Sept. 14, 1948 2,478,088 `Causey Aug. 2, 1949 2,481,885 Simpson Sept. 13, 1949 2,555,782 Brownstein June 5, 1951 2,569,653 Boedecker Oct. 2, 1951 2,631,900 Simpson Mar. 17,1953 2,632,676 Everett Mar. 24, 1953 2,690,210 Holick Sept. 28, 1954 

